*The Department for Education (DFE) have recently announced that they intend to freeze tuition fees for the 2018/19 year. This is still subject to parliamentary approval. Once confirmed we will update our web pages accordingly.

Course type

BEng (Hons)

UCAS info

Points required:
112

UCAS code: D367

Institute code: L51

Study mode

Three years full time or four years with one year spent on industrial placement

PLEASE NOTE : we are currently only accepting applications for Level 5 or above

Well-equipped laboratories and workshops with state-of-the-art software and excellent technical support

To be accredited by the Institution of Engineering and Technology

Regular contributions from professional engineers and industrial visits

Our thriving Student Autosport Society competes successfully in the Formula Student competition and electrical engineering students play a key role in developing the control systems that are crucial to the team's success

You could play a key role in developing the control systems that are crucial to our car's success in the Formula Student competition.

Work-related learning

This course offers an invaluable opportunity to undertake an industrial placement after your second year. This experience cannot be underestimated as it will give you a chance to put what you have learnt in the first two years into practice, enhance your skills and provide a taste of what it's really like to work in the industry. It will also give you a head start when you come to negotiate your way around the competitive job market.

Support and guidance

Dedicated personal tutor plus study skills support

Embarking on any degree course can be daunting, and so to help you get to know your tutors and fellow students, we organise a three-day field trip to the Blue Peris Mountain Centre in Wales in your first year. Undoubtedly you will need academic and personal support at times during your course, and for this reason you will be allocated a personal tutor with whom you can discuss course-related issues, work on a personal development plan and set your own targets.

Course details

Completing the BEng (Hons) Control and Automation Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University will enable you to graduate with a Masters-level qualification plus advanced level skills and experience that will boost your career prospects and future earning potential.

Control and Automation engineers are also involved in the ongoing development and production of a diverse range of products, and so companies supplying anything from bread to jet engines, from mobile phones to banking services will need their skills.

Level 4 of this BEng (Hons) course covers core engineering principles and technologies such as mathematics, electrical engineering, control and instrumentation, microprocessors and programming. You will also spend time completing structured design projects, which will help develop your engineering and management skills. In the second year there is greater emphasis on the application of the core principles through design.

Electronics and microprocessors are taught in the context of designing and controlling engineering systems and the mathematics course provides the essential skills to enable you to design control strategies, and supports the more mathematical modules of the programme.

During your course, you will undertake projects that both structured and less structured allowing you more freedom to design your own solutions to problems. This is supported by seminars in commercial project development, which will teach you some of the key skills needed to plan and manage a project.

The third year of the programme covers the core themes of electronics, control, automation and management and you will undertake a major individual project with an academic supervisor.

What you will study on this degree

Please see guidance on core and option modules for further information on what you will study.

PLEASE NOTE : we are currently only accepting applications for Level 5 or above

Level 5

Digital and Embedded Systems

Electric Machines

Linear Electronics

Control System Design and Analysis

Electrical Engineering Practice 2

Applied Instrumentation

Engineering Mathematics 2

Sandwich degree:

Year-long placement

Study Abroad

Level 6

Automation

Embedded Systems

Power Electronics, Drives and Systems

Process Control

Engineering Project

Industrial Management

Further guidance on modules

The information listed in the section entitled ‘What you will study’ is an overview of the academic content of the programme that will take the form of either core or option modules. Modules are designated as core or option in accordance with professional body requirements and internal Academic Framework review, so may be subject to change. Students will be required to undertake modules that the University designates as core and will have a choice of designated option modules. Additionally, option modules may be offered subject to meeting minimum student numbers.

Please see the programme specification document for further details on this course.

Teaching and learning

Excellent facilities and learning resources

Teaching is via a combination of lectures supported by small-group tutorials, plus seminars, design and building projects, and laboratory work.

During your first two years, formal teaching will account for around 18-20 hours per week, and you will be expected to spend approximately 30-32 hours in private study. As you progress through the course, independent study becomes more important and so the proportion of private study time increases to around 42 hours per week.

Your lecturers

Expert tuition and support

LJMU is recognised for its excellent record in engineering research in collaboration with industry, and with academic partners from the UK and around the world. Many of the academic team have professional industrial experience at senior levels, and all are engaged in research or scholarship which helps maintain the relevance of the curriculum delivered.

Assessment and feedback

Assessment varies depending on the modules you choose

Assessment is usually via a combination of exams and coursework, and sometimes by a portfolio of work, depending on the subject. A final year project gives you the chance to work independently and contributes considerably to your final mark. Your tutors will give prompt and constructive feedback via Canvas (our virtual learning environment), face-to-face or in writing. This will help you to identify your strengths as well as the areas where you may need to put in more work.

Entry requirements

Please choose your qualifications below to view requirements

Minimum points required from qualifications

112

Application and selection

​We are looking for students who are keen to learn new skills and develop those they already possess. We want students with the ability to: be creative with ideas and concepts, moderate their creativity with logic, be enthusiastic and thirsty for knowledge, communicate effectively and confidently and understand and adapt to a wide range of issues connected with the subject. It is also important that students are able to manage time and tasks effectively as an individual and as part of a team, use appropriate sources to find and organise information and select and critically evaluate information in order to analyse problemsIf you would like to develop these skills further, have a strong interest in this subject area and want to work effectively within it, then this is the course for you! International applications will be considered in line with UK qualifications.

GCSE and equivalents

"Prior to starting the programme applicants must have obtained grade 4 or grade C or above in English Language and Mathematics GCSE or an approved alternative qualification below:
• Key Skills Level 2 in English/ Maths
• NVQ Level 2 Functional skills in Maths and English Writing and or Reading
• Skills for Life Level 2 in Numeracy/English
• Higher Diploma in Maths/ English
• Functional skills level 2 in Maths/ English
• Northern Ireland Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
• Wales Essential Skills Level 2 in Communication or Application of Number
Prior to starting the programme
"

A Levels

Minimum number of A Levels required: 2

Is general studies acceptable? Yes

Are AS level awards acceptable? Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Average A Level offer: BBC

Maximum AS Level points accepted: 20

BTEC qualifications

BTEC certificate: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

90 credit diploma: Acceptable only when combined with other qualifications

Diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Diploma subjects / grades required: D*D* if studied on its own or to the total of 112 UCAS points if combined with other qualifications

Extended diploma (QCF): Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Extended diploma subjects / grades required: DMM in a relevant subject area is required if no other level 3 qualifications are taken

Access to Higher Education Diploma

Access to Higher Education Diploma acceptability: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Further information: Access programme must have been taken be in a relevant subject area, minimum of 24 Distinctions and 12 Merits required

International Baccalaureate

International Baccalaureate: Acceptable on its own and combined with other qualifications

Please Note: All international qualifications are subject to a qualification equivalency check via NARIC.

Finance and fees

Find out more about the student funding that you may be eligible for from either LJMU or the government. This section will give you information about grants and loans as well as targeted support for students with children, adult dependants or those with a disability.

Please note that the amount of money you will receive as a student is dependent on where in the UK you normally live (i.e. England, Wales, Northern Ireland or Scotland).

LJMU scholarships

LJMU's scholarships are open to all new full-time Home and EU undergraduates that are liable to pay tuition fees. These awards are not income assessed, they are based on excellence. If successful, you will be awarded a scholarship for each year of your course subject to satisfactory progress. Scholarships are worth between £1,000 and £10,000 per year. The money you receive doesn’t have to be paid back.

LJMU bursary

The LJMU bursary is automatically paid to eligible students – you do not need to apply for it. The annual bursary is £500, which works out at £1,500 over a three year degree.

LJMU bursaries are means-tested and you don’t have to pay them back; they are intended to help you meet some of the costs associated with being a student.

Tuition fees

In 2018 LJMU will charge Home and EU students a tuition fee of £9,250* for the majority of its full time undergraduate programmes and £6,935* per year for part time courses. You will be charged a fee for each year of your course. The University reserves the right to increase fees up to the maximum permitted by law or government policy in the second and subsequent years of your course. Generally, these fee increases are linked to RPIX inflation (Retail Price Index excluding mortgage interest payments).

*Subject to parliamentary approval.

The important thing to remember is that you don't have to pay your tuition fees upfront - subject to meeting eligibility criteria, you can take out a tuition fee loan for each year of your course.

You can also take out a maintenance or living cost loan for each year of your course to cover your living expenses, such as rent and food.

You don’t start repaying your student loans until after you’ve left university and start earning at least £21,000.** Please note that the Department for Education who govern student support for students from England have recently announced it intends to increase this threshold to £25,000. This remains subject to parliamentary approval and we will update our website once further information is confirmed.

LJMU is committed to ensuring that students understand the full cost of studying at the University. Your tuition fee will cover or contribute to, as appropriate, expenses associated with your core modules, including:

safety equipment, such as lab coats and goggles

uniforms for nurses, paramedics and other professional placements

UK field trips and other educational visits

student exchanges

DBS checks (Disclosure and Barring Service – formerly CRB)

Professional sector regulatory body membership

** Repayment threshold for students normally resident in England and Wales.

Living expenses (maintenance) loan

In addition to your tuition fees, eligible full-time undergraduate students can also apply for a maintenance loan to cover your living costs. If you’re eligible, you can take out a loan for each year of your course.

The amount you’ll receive will depend on where in the UK you normally live and your household income. This money will be paid into your bank or building society account in three instalments and it’s up to you to budget for your living costs.

The government has stated that it intends to introduce a pro rata maintenance loan for part time students from England from the 2018/19 academic year.

Paying back your student loans

You only start repaying your student loans the April after you have graduated or left university and start earning £21,000* or above. Repayments are based on a percentage of your salary not how much you have borrowed from the Student Loans Company. Repayments are currently set at 9% of any income over the threshold (which is currently set at £21,000).* Please note that the Department for Education who govern student support for students from England have recently announced it intends to increase this threshold to £25,000. This remains subject to parliamentary approval and we will update our website once further information is released.

*Repayment threshold for students normally resident in England and Wales.

Career prospects

There is a national shortage of graduate engineers, making our graduates highly sort after by employers. Engineering graduates enjoy one of the lowest unemployment rates and one of the best starting salaries.

While this is a new programme, LJMU has a proven track record delivering high quality professionally accredited degrees in electrical and electronic engineering. For example, data published by UNISTATS indicates that 70% of our current MEng (Hons) Electrical and Electronic Engineering graduates secure a professional or managerial position within six months of graduating.

Control and Automation engineers are employed in almost every sector of economic activity including:

the utilities in water, power generation and distribution, and telecommunications

all areas of manufacturing, including aerospace, petro-chemical, and automotive

power systems engineer, designing managing and maintaining power distribution networks

process engineer, developing and maintaining manufacturing processes

Graduates from this programme would be expected to find employment with companies such as:

United Utilities

Shell

British Nuclear Fuels Limited

Jaguar

Aero Engine Controls (Rolls Royce-Goodrich)

the Ministry of Defence

Graduate engineering posts will usually give you the opportunity to work towards incorporated or chartered engineer status.

Relevant vacation work experience and industry placements will also greatly increase your level of employability and that's why we encourage all our students to complete a year's paid placement out in industry.

CareerSmart programme

All students in their first year of study will have an opportunity to engage with the CareerSmart programme as an integral part of a core module of study. Once you have completed this, a wide range of other career-related provision and services will be available to support your development throughout your studies.

The new CareerSmart e-learning tool will introduce you to the steps involved in making informed choices about your career. It will enable you to consider your strengths and development areas, your career motivators, the options available to you and the necessary steps to take to achieve your career goals.

Professional accreditation / links

This programme will be presented for accreditation by a professional body such as the IET as soon as possible.

Accredited BEng degrees enable graduates to gain IEng status without further study, while appropriate further study at Level 7 would facilitate application to CEng.

Gaining professional status will be of considerable benefit to you in your future career especially if you join a multinational company or need to have your qualification recognised overseas.

International Scholarships

Studying at LJMU offers international students excellent value for money and the opportunity to secure an internationally-respected qualification plus outstanding career prospects.

LJMU offers scholarships for international students. The provision and range of these scholarships can change from year to year so it is important that you always check the website for the most up-to-date information. The University also accepts a range of external funding, should you be awarded a scholarship or sponsorship from elsewhere.

International Foundation Year and International Year One programmes

LJMU offers international students the option of completing International Foundation Year and International Year One programmes at the University’s International Study Centre. These courses are managed and taught by Study Group, a world leader in education and training for international students. For more details on the International Study Centre, go to www.ljmuisc.com/

English language qualifications

All international applicants must have an internationally recognised English language qualification, such as IELTS (International English Language Testing Service). Your English language qualification must have been certified within the last two years for verification purposes. LJMU will accept other UKVI-recognised English language tests providing you attain the appropriate level.

This table summarises the minimum scores required by LJMU, although specific course requirements may differ depending on the programme you want to study.

English language support to improve IELTS

If your English language level does not meet the required entry requirements for your course you may still be offered a place on the condition that you successfully complete an English for Undergraduate Study course at LJMU’s International Study Centre.

Tuition fee deposits

International students are liable to pay a minimum deposit of 50% of their tuition fees before their CAS can be issued. The outstanding balance must be paid in full within 4 months of the given enrolment date.

Living Costs

When you apply for your visa or entry clearance, you will need to provide evidence of having enough money to support yourself for the duration of your programme and to pay for all of your living expenses. The good news is that the cost of living in Liverpool is one of the lowest in England, which means your money will go even further, allowing you to enjoy your student experience to the full.

In addition to academic fees, you must budget for living costs such as accommodation, food, clothing, books, local travel and entertainment. UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) states that students studying outside London must have £1,015 per month for a maximum of nine months to cover their living costs.

We estimate that a single student living in LJMU-approved accommodation is likely to need an average of £5,000 to cover just their rent for a full academic year.

Academic Technology Approval Scheme Certificate (ATAS)

If you have applied to study an Enhanced Undergraduate Degree (such as an MEng) course at LJMU, you should check if you require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme or ATAS certificate.

Alternatively, contact LJMU’s International Admissions Team for guidance. It is important to note that, if required, an ATAS certificate must be obtained before your Confirmation of Acceptance of Studies can be released to you.

Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS)

Before you can apply for permission to enter or remain in the UK under Tier 4 you will require a valid Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies or CAS. LJMU will only assign a CAS once you have satisfied the conditions of any offer made to you and you satisfy the University’s obligations as a Tier 4 Sponsor. For more details, visit the international students section.

Your visa application

As soon as you have received an offer of a place at LJMU you should contact the Entry Clearance Office at the British Embassy, British High Commission or Consular Office in your own country to check whether you need a visa for entry into Britain. You are advised to do this as soon as you can as the visa application process can take a long time.

Please Note: To obtain an Entry Visa you should go to the British Embassy or High Commission in your own country, and present the following documents:

A declaration of your intent to return home on completion of your course of study

The University may make changes to a programme of study or module where such changes are deemed to be beneficial to students, are minor in nature and unlikely to impact negatively upon students or become necessary due to circumstances beyond the control of the University. Further guidance on programme changes